The National Archive of Grief Support Studies
The National Archive of Grief Support Studies(NAGSS) database provides bibliographical information and summaries of recent articles selected for their relevance to grief and bereavement service providers. The articles that are summarized are selected from scholarly, peer-reviewed journals and are intended to highlight key concepts as well as provide a brief statement of implications for service providers. Bibliographical information may be used to obtain the original article.
Effects of Support Groups on Post Traumatic Stress Responses in Women Experiencing Stillbirth
Authors:
Cacciatore, Joanne
Source:
Omega: 2007. Volume 55, Number 1, pp. 71-90.
Summary
This article summarizes the results of a research study that examined the efficacy of support groups specifically designed for mothers who had experienced child death during their gestational period, with nearly half the mothers experiencing the loss at or past full term pregnancy. The time elapsed since the child death ranged from anywhere from the past year to ten years or greater. The Impact of Event Scale-Revised (IES-R) was used to measure traumatic stress. The authors concluded that women who participated in support groups following stillbirth reported significantly lower levels of traumatic stress. In addition, women who attended support groups reported heightened spiritual and emotional growth and more of a capacity for compassion and empathy than those who did not attend support groups.
Key words: stillbirth, posttrauma, pregnancy, support
Service Provider Implications
The findings of this research study suggest to service providers that participation in support groups moderates posttraumatic stress responses in women who have experienced stillbirth. Participation in support groups was also found to assist in emotional growth and the development of an altruistic desire to help others.
